9mm load development

I've often wondered how magnum spp would work with 9mm Luger. How much lower below the recommended minimum did you start the loads? I have three reloading manuals, and none of them call for magnum spp. If I had more reloading experience, then I would feel more comfortable going alone off the deep end.

 

What powder are you using?

I would be comfortable using Mag primers with listed starting loads, UNLESS using something like Titegroup (which has a very small charge spread).

 

I started 10% below the starting load. That was a waste of components. If I did it again, I would be comfortable with starting at the prescribed minimum load with magnum small pistol primers. I’m using CFE Pistol. I suppose primer brand, powders, barrel length, and other factors can make a difference, your results may vary. I chronograph each powder increment too. I found maximum load grouped best, and was still below maximum velocity.

 

I've been reloading 9mm for over 30 years. At first matching powder to heavier bullets was an issue! It took several years to develop a load to closely match the famous Winchester 147 grain Match cartridge!
You're looking at load data for the 124 grain bullet so I'll address that.
1) It should be pretty easy to find a factory round that your gun likes. Start there with COL and bullet profile and velocity. It really doesn't have to be exact but close helps.
2) Find load data that matches the factory velocity for that bullet profile.
3) Drop about 6 tenths to begin with and load 10 at -.6, 10 at -. 4 and 10 at .2 and 10 to match the factory velocity per that manual. if your lucky one of these loads will be better than the others.
4) Unless you are competing at the national level and cutting X's at 50 yards much of the precision rifle reloading protocols don't matter!
5) I have a dedicated Dillon SDB set up to load 9mm 124-135 grain bullets and HTG. I haven't changed or even checked the powder drop or COL in several years and I reload 500-1000 rounds a year since I'm no longer shooting competitively.
Smiles,

 

CFE Pistol and Power Pistol.

Thanks for sharing this note. I'm cautious; I would have charged with possibly-too-light loads.